Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you. I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.
For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.
Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while—yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. So even though I wrote to you, it was neither on account of the one who did the wrong nor on account of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. By all this we are encouraged.
In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. I had boasted to him about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well. And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling. I am glad I can have complete confidence in you.

• 2 Corinthians 7:1-16

Noted Biblical Scholars, Teachers, and Preachers Comments

2 Corinthians 7:1 ‘Let us cleanse ourselves’: “The reason Paul gave to stir up in us this godly ambition to be holy is that Christians possess the most glorious promises. By his words we are to understand that we actually have these promises in our possession, that is, that we daily live in the enjoyment of them. The promises he refers to are listed in 6:16.  They are first, the divine indwelling. God dwells not in houses made with hands, but he dwells within these houses of clay.  The next is divine communion. Christ walking with his people is one of the daily privileges of the heirs of heaven. Another promise we have obtained is that of the divine covenant. God gives himself to his people to be theirs; and they, by the purchase of his own Son and the effective conquest of the arm of his grace, are his. In addition to this, we have divine adoption. God loves us with a father’s love, guides us with a father’s care, protects us with a father’s watchfulness, instructs us with a father’s wisdom, bears with us with a father’s patience, and longs for us with a Father’s longing.  We are his tender children, and he is our loving parent. These are promises we have obtained. They are our possession.
“Then the Christian, possessing these glorious privileges, is to labor to be rid of all evils-“Let us cleanse ourselves.’ What? Do God’s blood-bought people still need cleansing? Yes, every one of us! Notice, first, this work is personal: ‘Let us cleanse ourselves.’ Finding other people’s faults is easy, but we all need to look at ourselves. Christians, while acted upon by divine influence and cleansed by the Holy Spirit, are active agents in their own sanctification. Christians develop by actively seeking growth, by earnestly striving after holiness, and by resolutely endeavoring to obtain it. Nor, second, must we stop short of universality in our purgation and cleansing: ‘Let us cleanse ourselves from every impurity. ‘Our eyes must not spare nor must our hearts pity one pet sin. Third, the apostle shows the thoroughness of this work by adding ‘of the flesh and spirit.’ ‘Impurity of the flesh’ includes all outward sins that are well-known and easily recognized. Impurities of the ‘spirit’ are the mothers of the sins of the flesh. Sins of the spirit when matured issue in shameful acts.
“Then the text goes on to describe the exalted aim of Christians-‘bringing holiness to completion.’ We will do better with that as our ambition than we could have done if we had not aimed at it. Finally, the text shows that Christians are prompted by the most sacred of motives-‘the fear of God.’ An abiding sense of God’s presence, a perpetual feeling of our obligations to our Creator and Redeemer produces a reverent fear of God. Such a constant fear as this is the source of Christian holiness. “

• Charles H. Spurgeon, from sermon notes

2 Corinthians 7:1 ‘God’s presence’: “God promised his presence (2Co 6:16) and a special relationship to those who would obey him (2Co 6:17–18). Because the promises are from God, Christians must be meticulous to fulfill their responsibilities in satisfying the conditions. First, believers are expected to cleanse themselves by turning from everything that contaminates the body or spirit—including every person who bends the truth (2Co 2:17; 4:2). Second, they are to work toward ‘perfecting’ holiness (2Co 7:1). The use of the present participle in ‘perfecting’ signifies a continual process by which their holiness is brought to completion (v. 1).”

• Dorothy Kelley Patterson, General Editor, NIV Woman’s Study Bible (Patty Comber, Pauline Epistles contributor)

2 Corinthians 7:2 ‘We have wronged no one’: ”The Gr. word for ‘wronged’ means ‘to treat someone unjustly,’ ‘to injure someone,’ or ‘to cause someone to fall into sin.’ Paul could never be accused of injuring or leading any Corinthian into sin (see … Matt. 18:5–14). we have corrupted no one. ‘Corrupted’ could refer to corruption by doctrine or money, but probably refers to corrupting one’s morals (cf. 1 Cor. 15:33). Paul could never be accused of encouraging any immoral conduct.”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

2 Corinthians 7:4 ‘Great is my boldness’: “’Boldness’ can be translated ‘confidence.’ Paul was confident of God’s ongoing work in their lives (cf. Phil. 1:6)—another proof of Paul’s love for the Corinthian believers.”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

2 Corinthians 7:5-16 ‘Titus’ Travels’: “It seems strange that in ch. 7 Paul returns to discussing his and Titus’s travels without any renewed introduction (7:5–16). That sudden change of topic to Paul’s travel plans and his sending of Titus to Corinth might suggest that the portion of 2 Corinthians in 2:14–7:4 is part of another letter, and was inserted (after 2:13) by a later editor who compiled 2 Corinthians as it now appears in the New Testament. This brief letter (2:14–7:4), describing Paul’s view of an apostle’s ministry, would have been written between his writing of 1 Corinthians and his ‘sorrowful visit’ to Corinth (see … 2 Cor. 1:1).”

• Timothy B. Cargal, et al., The Chronological Study Bible

2 Corinthians 7:6-7 ‘who was Titus?’: “Little is known about Titus (he is never mentioned in Acts). He was an uncircumcised Greek who was apparently converted to Christianity under Paul’s ministry (Gal. 2:1). He played an important role in Paul’s relationship with the Corinthian church (2 Cor. 7:6, 7; 8:16; 12:18).”

• Timothy B. Cargal, et al., The Chronological Study Bible

2 Corinthians 7:6 ‘the downcast’: “This refers not to the spiritually humble, but to those who are humiliated. Such people are lowly in the economic, social, or emotional sense (cf. Rom. 12:16).”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

2 Corinthians 7:8 ‘godly sorrow’: “Following his painful visit, Paul wrote a harsh disciplinary letter to the Corinthians … He regretted doing this, but the Corinthians did respond to his correction with godly sorrow (v. 11). Such sorrow produced in them a concerted effort to make amends (‘earnestness’), a desire to vindicate themselves (‘eagerness to clear yourselves’), ‘indignation’ against the person who had opposed Paul, ‘alarm’ at their own passivity, a deep ‘longing’ and ‘concern’ for Paul (v. 7), and a ‘readiness to see justice done’ (v. 11). They demonstrated that they did not, in fact, support the man who had publicly opposed Paul. Therefore, their sin was not so much that they had done wrong but that by their indifference they had failed to do what was right.”

• Dorothy Kelley Patterson, General Editor, NIV Woman’s Study Bible (Patty Comber, Pauline Epistles contributor)

2 Corinthians 7:8 ‘reflections’: ”Paul told the Corinthian believers, ‘For even if l made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it’ (2 Corinthians 7:8). After all he had nothing to regret, for he was speaking the truth about them in love. If we follow Paul’s example and likewise speak God’s truth in love, there is a good chance we will have to deal with offended reactions and hurt feelings-just as Paul did. When this occurs, we need to keep the following points in mind.
“First, we need to remember we are responsible for the message but not the response. In one of Jesus’ parables, he compared spreading the message of the gospel to a farmer sowing seeds (see Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23). The seed either flourished or failed depending on the ground (people’s hearts) on which it fell. The farmer was not responsible for the out-come-just for sowing the seeds.
“Second, we need to remember that popularity is overrated. Generally speaking, the more that we try to please other people in our lives, the less that we will seek to please God. Popularity can alter our perspectives and our priorities. Those who desire it will be tempted to compromise their principles to attain it, while those who have popularity will be tempted to compromise their principles in order to maintain it. For Christians, such compromises can damage our witness and cause us to miss out on God’s plans for our lives. As Jesus put it, ‘For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?’ (Luke 9:25).
“Third, we need to remember that godly sorrow is good. Sorrow is often the result of the Holy Spirit’s work in our conscience-our realization that something is wrong. Sorrow is the motivation for us to change and compels us to admit our wrongdoing, ask for forgiveness, and restore our relationship with God. When this occurs in our hearts, what was once painful becomes something joyous.
“This is the exact message that Paul wanted the believers in Corinth to understand.”

• David Jeremiah, 2 Corinthians (Jeremiah Bible Study Series)

2 Corinthians 7:9 ‘Guilt – A Spiritual Weight’: “Guilt is the emotional and spiritual weight we bear as the result of sin against others and against God. Christ taught that the acknowledgement of our true guilt is the door through which we can experience the cleansing and renewal of being forgiven (1Jn 1:9–10).
“There are two kinds of guilt: false guilt and true guilt. False guilt is what the apostle Paul refers to as ‘worldly sorrow’ (2Co 7:9–10). He describes a nebulous sense of free-floating regret and guilt that seem to have no clear source and leave only a deep feeling of condemnation. True guilt, on the other hand, is ‘godly sorrow [that] brings repentance that leads to salvation.’
“True guilt is the gentle, persistent prodding of the Holy Spirit, which leads us to acknowledge that we have indeed failed or fallen short of God’s law (Ro 3:23). That recognition of failure compels us to repent and seek God’s forgiveness and to experience once again the freedom and restoration made possible by Christ’s all-sufficient sacrifice (Ro 5:10). Guilt that leads to repentance liberates the soul.”

• Dorothy Kelley Patterson, General Editor, NIV Woman’s Study Bible (Patty Comber, Pauline Epistles contributor)

2 Corinthians 7:12-16 ‘validation of the Corinthians’ faith’ : “The Corinthians’ response to what Paul wrote provided them with the opportunity to demonstrate their own devotion to him in the sight of God (7:12). This, in turn, comforted Paul and his companions (7:13) because it validated the Corinthians’ faith and their desire to walk faithfully be-fore God.
“Titus had been a key player in bringing harmony between the Corinthian church and Paul. The apostle had boasted of his confidence in the Corinthian believers, and he was not disappointed by the results (7:14). Titus had been refreshed by them and grew in affection toward them because of their obedience, and this brought much rejoicing to them all (7:13, 15-16).
“Notice how both Paul and Titus experienced joy over, encouragement from, and affection for other believers because of their obedience to God. How does the obedience or disobedience of your fellow believers affect you? Are you grieved when they stray from the Lord? Are you willing to intervene as Paul did and have a difficult conversation so that they might be moved to godly grief and repentance? When they honor God through their obedience, do you rejoice and praise God? Kingdom disciples care deeply about the reputation of their King and the welfare of his people.”

• Tony Evans, The Tony Evans Bible Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

2 Corinthians 7:12 ‘him who had done the wrong’: “The leader of the mutiny in the Corinthian church (see … 12:7).”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

2 Corinthians 7:15 ‘fear and trembling’: “Reverence toward God and a healthy fear of judgment (see … 1 Cor. 2:3).”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

My Thoughts

The summary of 2 Corinthians 6 is the first verse of chapter 7.  It is similar to the last verse of Romans 14.  We must abstain from anything that brings impurity of thought, word, or deed into our lives.

Then, Paul has a disconnect.  He returns to the discussion of 2 Corinthians 2.  He is filled with Joy that the church is repenting.  The church was in deep sorrow over how Paul was suffering for them, and they wanted to reassure Paul that they had not left his teachings.

His stern letter had hurt the church.  Paul says that he regrets but does not regret sending the letter.  I think that means that he may have been misinformed on the severity of the problem.  Yet, Paul stands by what he said in not altering the gospel that is being preached.

We can often get upset over something that seems small.  It may disturb people, but if those people are going down a wrong path, or even dangling their toes over the side, it is a loving thing to warn them of the dangers.  Predictably, those that take it to heart the hardest are those that were the least offenders of the group.  Those that need the rebuke probably did not listen to it.

Yet, Paul gets a good report back from them.  He is assured that the church is back on the right track.  He rejoices in how the church has responded and how they have treated Titus.

Some Serendipitous Reflections

2 Corinthians 7:2-16 Paul’s Joy 1. Have you ever been confronted with a wrong you have done by someone who loves you? How did you feel about that person at the time?
“2. When is it more loving to confront someone with their sin than to ignore it? What attitudes are needed to keep loving confrontation from becoming judgmental? How do you see those attitudes in Paul?
“3. Would you share a time when godly sorrow motivated you to make a real change in your life? How do you feel about that change now?”

• Lyman Coleman, et al, The NIV Serendipity Bible for Study Groups

Second Corinthians 7:2-16 has one set of questions as noted above.

Substitute whatever group for any reference to a small group or ask who could come to your aid.

If you like these Thursday morning Bible studies, but you think you missed a few, you can use this LINK. I have set up a page off the home page for links to these Thursday morning posts. I will continue to modify the page as I add more.

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.